There Are No Role Models In Cultivation

September 28, 2002 | By a Chinese Practitioner

(Clearwisdom.net)

About a year ago, when I studied Teacher's article, "Path," I had the
superficial understanding that there are no role models in cultivation. However,
when I look at my behavior in retrospect, I see that I have often been
unconsciously influenced by the everyday concept of "role model," instead of
walking my own righteous path and following the Fa.

For example, right after July 20, 1999, I went to discuss the persecution
with the assistant at out practice site. The assistant said to wait to see what
happened, so I stayed at home and waited. Later, when I traveled abroad, I saw
that many Dafa activities did not have anyone coordinating them. Forgetting
Teacher's instruction, "Don't wait, don't rely on others," I went instead to
talk to the contact people at the Falun Dafa Association, expecting them to take
the lead responsibility for spreading Dafa. When I encountered difficulties, I
preferred to consult with those whom I thought were doing well in their
cultivation. When I read the touching stories of Dafa practitioners on the
website, I admired them from the bottom of my heart and accepted their opinions
without question. Later, when I compared my behavior with Teacher's teaching, I
realized that a cultivator should not follow the understanding of others
blindly. At the same time, I realized that the concept of the role model in
ordinary society is totally different and realms away from what practitioners
mean by "Share in learning and share in cultivating."

In addition, in the past, when I saw that fellow practitioners were not being
very diligent, I always used other practitioners' stories to encourage them,
asking them to learn from them as role models. Later, I realized that only Dafa
can really change a person. Only if one elevates one's understanding of the Fa,
can one change one's action. What ordinary people refer to as "the power of the
role model" does not apply in cultivation.

Cultivation is the most serious thing in the universe and also the hardest
thing. There are no role models and no points of reference. Only if we regard
the Fa as the teacher, can we walk each step on our way righteously, and really
be responsible for the sentient beings in our cosmic systems.